Deadlock at Shawbridge

By Andy Hammond

Clitheroe 0-0 Burscough Att 300

The Blues were fancied by most to gain a home victory over struggling Burscough, but were unable to break down their opponents stubborn defence.
Chris Thompson had to make probably his only save of the game on 8 minutes when he had to punch an aerial ball away for a corner.
The only chances for the Blues in the first half were for Brad Knox and Danny Brady, both were shots which went over the bar.
Half time 0-0.
Robbie Bromley had a great opportunity on 55 minutes, when he volleyed across the goal after connecting with a cross from the left wing.
Burscough’s only real chance of the game came on 62 minutes when Joe Watts shot along the ground went wide of the post.
Joe Mitchell, Kurt Willoughby and Alex Newby all had half chances, but despite the Blues having the majority of the possession they could not create any clear chances.
Right at the beginning of stoppage time, the Blues had a major shout for a penalty when a Burscough defender appeared to handle the ball twice. Despite loud appeals by the Blues players and the Shawbridge crowd, the referee waved play on.
Moments later Burscough substitute Conor Smith was shown a red card after a skirmish with a couple of Blues players.
That was the last action of the evening and the points were shared much to the home fans disappointment.

Simon Haworth quotes in paper:-
After the 0-0 draw, Haworth said: “There is a sense of frustration because we completely dominated the game, but they just came to sit back and take a point. They got what they wanted. “It’s just disappointing that we couldn’t break them down. There have been a few teams like that this season that have caused us similar problems, so that’s something we need to work on. We need to find ways to break teams down. “We’ve hurt teams that come and have a go, and we’ve beaten them well. It’s tough when the opposition get 10 men behind the ball and start asking questions of us. It’s a completely different challenge. “The last two games have been total contrasts, and they’ve summed up our season so far. We capitalised in an open game against Droylsden, but then failed to find a way through against Burscough.”